The Houbara bustard belongs to the Otididae family that comprises 22 species. The species is the sole representative of the genus Chlamydotis, which is currently separated into three subspecies: the North African subspecies called C.u.undulata , the Canarian subspecies called C.u.fuertaventurae , and the Asiatic subspecies called C.u.macqueenii .
The North African Houbara is a medium-sized bustard with the weight of adult birds varying from 1,000 and 1,400g for females and 1,500 and 2,400g for males. Houbara have cryptic plumage and their preferred habitat is arid sandy semi-desert where they prefer to walk or run away from disturbance rather than fly. The species is omnivorous and the diet composed of invertebrates (40%), mainly beetles and ants, and desert plant material (60%).
The Houbara bustard declined considerably throughout its range in North Africa as a result of habitat depletion and hunting pressure. In view of this decline, HRH Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud International Foundation for Conservation and Development of Wildlife implemented in 1993 a large scale captive breeding programme for the nominated subspecies together with a comprehensive recovery plan.
